Where in the world is Mongu?

Once upon a time I was a little girl who wanted to travel.  I am many years past that time and The Lord has granted to me desires beyond anything my little mind could have fathomed. 

In a few short hours I leave the beautiful, luxurious creature comforts of my home.  I went to lunch with my granddaughters.  The menu was filled with wonderful food selections, too many to make my decision easy.  I had a long refreshing shower as I changed into my traveling clothes.  I had too many clothes packed to make the airlines weight load requirement.  My creature comforts like shampoo, lotions, tooth paste, etc. are neatly tucked into my baggage.   Nibble food for the journey is in my back pack. 

Off I go across the world.  7,242 miles from O'Hare, Chicago to Dubai, United Arab Emirates a 10 hour flight.  A nights stay and then another flight to Lusaka, Zambia , 3,348 miles.  7 hours and 10 minutes.  Then...the longest part of the journey for me is the 10 hour drive from Lusaka to Mongu, 383 miles.  Mongu almost the end of the world from here and the drive is pretty boring. Those luxuries I experienced this morning do not exist in the world I am going into.  Each mile pulls me further from this mornings luxuries.

Mongu, a place where the Lozi people group live.  Mongu, a place that time and people have forgotten.  Mongu, the last place you would choose for a destination vacation. 

I look forward with anticipation to see those faces we have met before.  To have the ladies show us their gardens, to see the students who are now able to go to a school in their village.  To see our 'chief' and the wells we placed.  I love that we have not abandoned these people like so many before.  Their lives are hard.  The women in the remote villages are just above animal status, their food is scarce but their gratitude and fight to live is amazing.


As you go to bed to night, touch and feel your clean sheets, your fluffy pillow and nice mattress.  When you drink your water notice how clean it is and how easy it is to get it!  When you go to your refrigerator and decide what you might want to eat, know that Nishima (corn - grits) will be the menu of the villagers in Mongu and it might just be the only meal for the day.   Be grateful your daughters and grand daughters do not walk to get their dirty water each day.  Just be grateful!

I am humbled by my blessings.  I know that what God has blessed me with is not mine to hoard but to share.  I am in awe that I get to see how those who have blessed these villages are making little changes in the lives of those who have nothing.

As I squish into my airplane seat (coach) I will not complain!! How amazing is it that one can be propelled around the world in such a quick span of time. This always amazes me.

I hope that I have Internet connections enough to share my adventure with you while on the ground. Internet is spotty at best.  I am hoping for the best. :)    If not...I will just have to reminisce upon my return.

I leave you with my favorite quote.  A luxury once tasted becomes a necessity.